This Season’s Draft by Jason Gent

This Season’s Draft by Jason Gent (Allen & Unwin) I read Jason Gent’s This Season’s Draft about a group of older teens preparing for the AFL draft in one sitting. I was transfixed. This novel takes the perspective of each protagonist, is easy to read while packing an emotional punch and is ideal for schools […]

Legacy by Chris Hammer

Legacy by Chris Hammer Allen & Unwin In Legacy, Chris Hammer is back to his Scrublands best. Martin Scarsdale returns in an explosive mystery adventure where he is under personal attack. The setting straddles the Queensland and NSW border and is an atmospheric highlight. Diverted floodwaters creeping south form a stark contrast to the searing […]

I’m Not Really Here by Gary Lonesborough

I’m Not Really Here by Gary Lonesborough (A&U Books for Children and Young Adults) I’m Not Really Here by Gary Lonesborough is the WINNER of the CBCA 2025 Book of the Year: Older Readers category. “Back in my room, I stare at myself in the mirror of my wardrobe. As I sip my glass of water, […]

The Enchantment of Golden Eagle by Margaret Wild & Stephen Michael King

The Enchantment of Golden Eagle by Margaret Wild & Stephen Michael King Allen & Unwin Interview with Margaret Wild about The Enchantment of Golden Eagle Thank you for speaking with Paperbark Words, Margaret. Your career in children’s books is highly illustrious and it is a career that continues to exceed expectations. You have stepped out bravely and […]

TO and FRO by Anton Clifford-Motopi

TO and FRO by Anton Clifford-Motopi Allen & Unwin To and Fro by Anton Clifford-Motopi is shortlisted for the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers. Congratulations on To and Fro being shortlisted by the CBCA, Anton. I was laughing out loud most of the way through. It also has important themes that you share aptly and originally. […]

How to Move a Zoo by Kate Simpson, illustrated by Owen Swan

How to Move a Zoo Written by Kate Simpson illustrated by Owen Swan Allen & Unwin “If the neighbours had known there was an elephant on their street, they’d have been hanging out of every window. But Jessie was silent on her soft feet. She didn’t wake them.” (How to Move a Zoo) How to […]

Emily Rodda Interview: Landovel & other books

Emily Rodda Interview: Landovel & other books Landovel is published by Allen & Unwin 2025 CBCA Notable Books “There’s more than one way to be a hero”. (Landovel: The Truth Teller) Congratulations on Landovel, your three-book fantasy masterwork, being announced as a 2025 CBCA Notable and thank you for speaking with me, Emily. I’ve read […]

Spirit of the Crocodile by Aaron Fa’Aoso and Michelle Scott Tucker with Lyn White

Spirit of the Crocodile by Aaron Fa’Aoso and Michelle Scott Tucker with Lyn White Allen & Unwin ‘What do you think it wants?’ Ezra was talking about the crocodile. It was the only thing they’d been talking about for the past little while. Because it had come back. Not lying around on the boat ramp […]

Isobelle Carmody and Comes the Night

Isobelle Carmody & Comes the Night Published by Allen & Unwin Author interview with Isobelle Carmody ‘Will marvelled all over again that people would try to stop their government building domes. Didn’t they know how bad the air was, how dangerous the sunlight? Domes were designed to filter both, and to screen out damaging radiation. […]

Thunderhead by Sophie Beer

Thunderhead by Sophie Beer Author Interview at PaperbarkWords “I know that what I’m going through right now is the rather unfortunate end result of a few troublesome cells. It isn’t the universe conspiring against me. It’s just bad luck, a random event in a meaningless mess. But I read somewhere that humans are programmed to […]